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| Mouth-Offs | ADD and Mind
ControlIn life you need two things: Energy and focus. The more energy you have, the more focus you need. Kind of like the faster you drive a car, the more important it is you keep a hand on the steering wheel. Large bursts of energy can make it difficult to hold focus and accomplish tasks. This is a basic life struggle, not an abnormal disorder.
Most people labeled with ADD have a lot of energy but are unable to focus it. Fortunately there are many ways for an individual to take control of his/her life. The most popular method today is to take Ritalin. I’ve never tried it, but understand that it will mello-out the energy so that it is easier to stay in control. Kind of like slowing the car so that it is easier to stay on the road.
Another method, is to become a compulsive goal setter. Pour the overflow of energy into setting goals, getting organized, and gaining a focus for the day, week, month, life, etc. To continue the car analogy, goal setting is like studying the map, writing out directions, and filling the car with gas BEFORE you even begin to drive. If your direction is all mapped out, it is easier to pour energy into the trip without drifting way off course. Unfortunately few teachers or psychologists know much about goal setting themselves and consequently this powerful method is often ignored.
Many schools like to call kids who are disruptive or unfocused in class "disordered". Teachers send the kids to psychologists who teach the children to accept that they have a brain defect called "ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER". This can have a positive effect if the children use the negative label as an incentive to get help or to change some behaviors, but accepting the ADD label can also be dangerous if the child actually believes that their brain is somehow inferior.
Since the problem is of unfocused energy, reducing a child’s energy or enthusiasm for life can be interpreted as a solution. Energy is a valuable asset and should not be taken for granted. Uncontrolled energy in a child is probably better than a child who behaves in class, but is void of energy. In fact many people labeled with ADD often become very successful once they figure out how or where to channel their energy. A student may have great trouble staying focused in a boring class that seems pointless, but may excel when they work at a job or project that they feel passionate about.
I agree that ADD diagnosed people often have real and serious problems and may need help to overcome them.. My point is that since virtually everyone struggles with those same problems on some level, and since those problems are rooted in the common human struggle to succeed, these problems should not be labeled "abnormal" nor a "mental disorder". In addition, these problems are curable! With disciplined goal setting, ritalin, and some hard work, even the worst cases can learn how to turn this way of thinking into an asset!
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